Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 27, 2026

HR 591: A Resolution designating October 20, 2026, as "Community Health Worker Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Pennsylvania House resolution designates October 20, 2026, as Community Health Worker Awareness Day to honor the contributions of community health workers throughout the state. The bill aims to raise public awareness about these trusted professionals who help residents navigate healthcare systems, access resources, and manage health conditions. While the resolution does not create new laws or funding, it formally recognizes the vital role these workers play in improving community health and encourages continued investment in their training and support.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors community health workers who improve access and manage health conditions, strengthening the healthcare workforce.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 2549: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, providing for contributions for the deaf and hard of hearing, for contributions for the Shriners Hospitals for Children, for contributions to Fire Company Grant Program and for contributions to Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.

This bill allows Pennsylvania residents to voluntarily donate $5 when they renew their driver's licenses or vehicle registrations online. The funds collected will go exclusively to the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to help provide communication access services for those individuals. The donation is optional and will be added to the regular renewal fee, with annual reports required to track how much money is raised and how it is spent.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds communication access services for the deaf and hard of hearing, improving healthcare access and support.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 8, 2026

SR 352: A Resolution recognizing August 31, 2026, as "Overdose Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates August 31, 2026, as "Overdose Awareness Day" throughout Pennsylvania to raise awareness about drug overdoses and reduce the stigma associated with them. The bill does not create new laws or change regulations but instead asks the Governor to issue a proclamation and order flags to be flown at half-staff on that date. Its primary effect is symbolic, aiming to honor those affected by overdose and encourage community support for individuals struggling with addiction.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill raises awareness and reduces stigma for overdose, supporting mental health and public health initiatives.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 31, 2026

HB 2722: An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in electronic notice of insurance practices, providing for dental insurance transparency.

This bill requires dental insurance companies in Pennsylvania to create secure online portals that give dental providers and their staff daily access to detailed patient benefit information, including claims history and denial reasons. The legislation mandates that any verbal or written statements made by insurers regarding benefits or costs must be binding on future claims, with specific exceptions for fraud or eligibility changes. To enforce these rules, the bill allows providers to sue for the original billed amount if insurers fail to pay within 30 days and imposes administrative fines of up to $10,000 for non-compliance. The changes are designed to increase transparency and reduce billing disputes, and they will take effect one year after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to dental insurance details and protects providers' rights against arbitrary claim denials.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates secure online portals for dental insurance data, enhancing digital access and consumer protection through technology.75% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 22, 2026

HB 2710: An Act providing for mandatory reporting of babesiosis; requiring continuing education regarding tick-borne disease; imposing duties on the Department of Health and licensing boards; and promulgating regulations.

HB 2710, known as the Tick-Borne Disease Reporting Act, requires healthcare providers and facilities in Pennsylvania to report cases of babesiosis, a tick-transmitted infection, through the state's electronic disease surveillance system. The bill also mandates that clinical laboratories report positive test results for the disease via an electronic laboratory reporting system. To support these reporting requirements, the legislation imposes duties on the Department of Health and relevant licensing boards to ensure compliance and requires health care practitioners to complete continuing education on diagnosing and treating tick-borne diseases. This law aims to improve the tracking and management of tick-borne illnesses by making babesiosis a reportable condition in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens public health surveillance by mandating reporting of tick-borne diseases, improving patient safety and disease management.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SR 350: A Resolution recognizing June 23, 2026, as "Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate resolution designates June 23, 2026, as Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day in Pennsylvania to honor the condition and promote public understanding. The bill directly affects residents of the Commonwealth by encouraging them to learn about this rare and severe form of epilepsy that impacts approximately 1 in 15,700 people worldwide. It does not alter laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the challenges faced by individuals with the disorder, their families, and caregivers. The resolution calls for increased awareness and support for those working to improve diagnosis, treatment, and research for this lifelong condition.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes awareness of a rare neurological condition, fostering public understanding and support for affected individuals.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 6, 2026

HR 584: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study suicide prevention and data collection efforts in this Commonwealth and make recommendations for improving existing prevention and data collection efforts.

This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study suicide prevention and data collection efforts in Pennsylvania and provide recommendations for improvement. The study will specifically examine how well the state has met eight existing suicide prevention goals and analyze the Pennsylvania Violent Death Reporting System to identify barriers like lack of mandatory reporting and insufficient funding. The commission is tasked with proposing legislative actions to ensure medical examiners, coroners, and law enforcement agencies consistently report violent death data to the Department of Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs a study to improve suicide prevention and data collection, strengthening mental health services and public health efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 1409: An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in quality health care accountability and protection, further providing for definitions and for step therapy considerations.

SB 1409 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to establish specific rules for how health insurers handle mental health treatments. The bill creates new definitions for "behavioral health crisis" and "serious mental illness," which includes conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Under these new rules, insurers can only require patients to try one alternative drug before approving a prescribed medication for serious mental illnesses, and they cannot require prior authorization or step therapy for drugs used during a behavioral health crisis if those drugs are FDA-approved and evidence-based. These changes will apply to new insurance policies starting January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by limiting insurer restrictions on mental health drug approvals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 8, 2026

SR 353: A Resolution designating the week of July 20 through 24, 2026, as "Construction Opioid Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates the week of July 20 through 24, 2026, as "Construction Opioid Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania to highlight the high rate of opioid-related deaths in the construction industry. The bill encourages construction companies and organizations to use this time to educate workers about the dangers of opioid abuse and to facilitate discussions and events like drug take-back programs. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal designation to promote awareness among contractors, unions, and safety organizations within the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes opioid awareness and education in the construction industry, supporting public health initiatives and mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 14, 2026

HB 2702: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in health care cost containment, repealing provisions relating to expiration.

This bill removes the expiration date from Pennsylvania's health care cost containment laws, ensuring these regulations remain in effect indefinitely. By repealing Section 3317 of the state's health statutes, the legislation prevents the automatic termination of rules designed to manage medical expenses. The change applies to all entities currently subject to these cost containment measures, effectively making the provisions permanent rather than temporary.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill makes healthcare cost containment laws permanent, ensuring continued regulation of medical expenses.85% confidence

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